The window gets most of the attention, but the well outside it decides whether an egress window actually works. A well that is too small, floods or gets buried in snow can make the escape opening hard to use when it matters.
Here is what to plan for.
Size: room to climb out
Michigan's residential code sets a minimum size for egress window wells. Building department handouts, such as Grand Haven Township's, summarize it this way:
- At least 9 square feet of floor area
- At least 36 inches in both width and length
- Enough room for the window to open fully
The well is measured inside, at the bottom. A well that technically fits but forces someone to squeeze past the open sash is not a good escape route.
Depth: when you need a ladder
If the well is deeper than 44 inches, it needs a permanently attached ladder or steps. Per those same handouts, a ladder must be at least 12 inches wide, stick out at least 3 inches from the well wall and not be blocked by the open window. It can extend into the required well space by no more than 6 inches.
Many steel and plastic wells come with steps built in, which keeps the inside of the well clear.
Materials
Window wells can be made of rust-resistant metal, treated or decay-resistant wood, concrete, masonry or plastic. Corrugated galvanized steel is common and affordable. Molded plastic and stone-look wells cost more but can look better beside a patio or garden. Whatever the material, it needs to hold back the soil around it.
Drainage
Water collects in anything dug below grade, so every well needs a way to drain. That usually means a gravel base and a path for water to reach the home's drainage system. It is also why the window itself must be flashed and sealed well.
Outside, the ground should slope away from the well. Gutters and downspouts should not empty near it.
Covers and Michigan winters
A cover keeps snow, leaves and small animals out of the well. In Michigan, that matters. A well full of snow is hard to climb out of, and meltwater can pool against the window.
But a cover must never trap anyone. Michigan's residential code requires covers, grilles and similar devices over escape openings to be releasable or removable from inside without a key, tool, special knowledge or extra force. A hinged clear cover that lifts easily from below is a common choice. It also lets daylight into the room.
After a heavy snow, it is worth clearing around the top of the well so the cover can still open.
Plan the well with the window
The well and window are planned together, because the well's size and depth depend on how deep the window sits and how the yard slopes. Picking the location first makes both easier.
See how we approach egress windows, or read how an egress window installation works.
